Car Panel Artists and Self-Employment

Video clip synopsis – Two commercial artists work for themselves as car panel artists. They feel enormous pride and satisfaction being self- employed, even if it is not as lucrative as working for an employer. Year of production - 1979Duration - 1min 54secTags -artists, creativity, diversity, see all tags

About the Video Clip

Car Panel Artists and Self-Employment is an excerpt from the film For Love or Money (16 mins), an episode of the series Working (7 × 16 mins), produced in 1979.

For Love or Money: One of a series of films about attitudes to work. Deals with the satisfaction one feels when working for yourself, doing something you really enjoy, even if the money is not as much as working for an employer. A commercial artist, script writer and mechanic discuss their attitudes to work.

Working: The series is a window into the 70s and reflects different attitudes to work, including working for money, love or passion, and working for an employer or being self-employed.

Working was produced by Film Australia.

Curriculum Focus

This Digital Resource can be used to achieve the following outcomes:
H.1 A student demonstrates understanding of how relationships between composer, responder, text and context shape meaning.
H.6 A student engages with the details of text in order to respond critically and personally.
H.11 A student draws upon the imagination to transform experience and ideas into text, demonstrating control of language.

This material is an extract. Teachers and students should consult the Board of Studies website for more information.

Background Information

The commercial artist works within the popular culture genre. He or she is skilful and creative and the work is appreciated and admired by clients. The images used are readily accessible and understood. They can be found in comics, video clips, film and animation, computer games, and advertising.

The panel van was first introduced to Australia by Holden in 1953. It was designed to create a secure lock-up for the tools and equipment of tradespeople. The security offered by the enclosed but spacious van area also provides privacy. Other groups, particularly young people, began using and valuing the vehicle, as a sort of proxy caravan which could easily be parked at various locations like surfing beaches for example. Young men began customising their vans.

The panel van has become associated with youth and sexual freedom: 'If this van’s a-rockin’, don’t come knockin’.

Classroom Activities

Write a 100-word summary of the video clip. Include your opinion on the message, audience and purpose of the video clip.

Suggest a new title for the video clip.

Discuss and write answers for the following questions.

What is the artist’s point of view about his occupation?

How do his wife’s comments support this point of view?

Describe your impressions of the driver.
Why do you think the driver wants his car decorated in this way?
What do you think of the driver? Is this based on evidence, or are you categorising the person because of his taste in car decoration? Give reasons.

Create and present a two-page script using the following context.
Imagine that you are with a friend in a car and you pull up at the lights next to the decorated car. Create a conversation in which one of you loves it, one of you hates it.

Literacy Activity: Focus = Listening / Analysing

Explain the purpose of this clip. (2 marks)

Why do we hear the female point of view at the beginning? (2 marks)

What is the meaning of the final expression; ‘once you become satisfied, you’re defunct’. (1mark)